Violence erupts at Hardik Patel’s rally in Nikol

TNN | Updated: Apr 21, 2019, 9:44 IST

A group of protestors who attempted to disrupt his public meeting at Viratnagar were thrashed by Hardik’s supp...Read More

After being slapped in Surendranagar district on Friday, violence erupted at Congress leader Hardik Patel’s rally in Nikol in Ahmedabad on Saturday night. A group of protestors who attempted to disrupt his public meeting at Viratnagar were thrashed by Hardik’s supporters before the police stepped in and brought the situation under control. Claiming to be supporters of PAAS leader Alpesh Kathiria, seven persons began shouting slogans against Hardik Patel and chanting "We want Gabbar", referring to Alpesh Kathiria. A ruckus followed, during which the protestors were thrashed by Hardik Patel’s supporters. The protestors have been taken into custody.

Incidentally, Hardik Patel had written a letter to the police commissioner on Friday, stating that he had information that anti-social elements will attempt to attack him at the Viratnagar rally on Saturday evening. He had sought adequate police protection at the rally venue in the letter. "They have a right to protest. I have told all my supporters not to prevent those who want to protest against me. BJP thinks it will intimidate me with such attacks, but I am not scared," Hardik Patel said. Geeta Patel, Congress candidate from Ahmedabad East constituency alleged that BJP sympathisers were involved in the protest.